Although the bamboo fly rod fell out of favor in the 1950s—as a result of an embargo against products from China, which limited the availability of the raw materials, and the introduction of. . .
Read Morefly-fishing history
Museum Pieces: Anglers-in-Chief
President Eisenhower launches a cast on a mountain pond.
Photo courtesy AMFF
In honor of Presidents Day, we are featuring some of our most important fly-fishing Presidents. Because the Presidents took longer time off, sometimes up to three months, the opportunity. . .
Read MoreClassic Video: Ted Williams and the Atlantic Salmon
Here’s a very cool piece of fly-fishing history found on Youtube: a 1960s production of “Ted Williams and Salmo Salar.” In this half-hour production distributed by Sears Roebuck & Co. . . .
Read MoreVideos: The Stories of the Adams and the Muddler Minnow
Our fly boxes are full of patterns–both famous and obscure–and each has a history. Someone, somewhere came up with the idea for the fly and then sat down and tied. Michigan fly-fishing legend Ray Schmidt has started a cool video series on classic . . .
Read MoreVideo: Lefty Kreh, in His Own Words
Lefty Kreh needs no introduction, of course, but hearing him tell his own story in an unrehearsed fashion is simply fascinating. In this first part of Eric Stroup’s interview with Lefty, he describes. . .
Read MorePhotos: The Development of the Fly Reel in the 19th Century
The age of this reel is unknown, but it shows basic features we still use today.
all photos by Tim Bronson
In 15th century England, anglers didn’t use reels at all: They simply tied a braided horsehair line to the tip of a long rod. (Dapping and Tenkara operate on the same principle.) But by the 18th. . .
Read MoreBook Excerpt: Preserving the Heritage of Women Fly Fishers
Theodore Gordon’s fly fishing companion was often a woman, although due in part to the social mores of the time little is known about her. Margaret Penn, the daughter of William Penn, the founder of the Pennsylvania, was also an early flyfisher in the . . .
Read MoreClassic Video: Joe Brooks on Casting Into the Wind
Here’s a great piece of film footage from the very first episode of the “American Sportsman” television show, shot in 1963, hosted by Curt Gowdy and featuring legendary angler Joe. . .
Read MoreVideo: Lee Wulff and Curt Gowdy Catching Huge Labrador Brook Trout
Here’s an amazing piece of television history, featuring Lee Wulff and Curt Gowdy flying into the Labrador bush in search of huge, wild brook trout. Traveling in Wulff’s famed SuperCub, with a canoe strapped to the floats, they fly over the amazing watery landscape. When they reach the Minipi watershed, they head out for. . .
Read MoreMuseum Pieces: Flies So Good They’re Scary
Written by: Peter Nardini, American Museum of Fly Fishing
The Ghost, one of the beautifully dressed flies in Mary Orvis Marbury’s display from the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.
Photos courtesy AMFF
In honor of All Hallow’s Eve, we have come up with a few historic fly patterns from our collection with some spooky monikers. . . .
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